VLADIVOSTOK. March 24 (Interfax) - A suspect has gunned down a police escort in Vladivostok, a spokesman for the Primorsky territorial police department told Interfax.
"A police vehicle was transporting two suspects from the Nadezhdinsky district court to the Vladivostok detention center after hearings. There were three police officers - the driver and two escort members - onboard," he said.
One of the suspects seized a policeman's weapon and opened fire.
"A police senior lieutenant died instantly, and his colleague suffered three gunshot wounds and was taken to hospital. His condition is serious," the spokesman said.
"The assailant ran away with the gun. The second suspect was stunned and made no attempt to escape," he said.
Both men were suspected of dealing drugs.
Security levels have been raised in Vladivostok.
"Everything is being done to catch the armed criminal," the police said.